Surprise! Organizing on a Snow or Ice Day

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snow day organizing

Snow days aren’t just for kids. Many love the idea of having an unexpected day with no plans and with everything cancelled. You have the joy of an unexpected gift of time. A surprise day off can be the perfect opportunity to rest and reset your home. As a Certified Professional Organizer, bite-sized, baby steps are the best way to organize. One focused day can make a meaningful difference. Here’s how to make the most of a snow or ice day intentionally.

Start with rest

The velocity of life is draining. You likely need time to rest. First off, permit yourself to do nothing. The most productive people make time for rest and reset. That is always a great first choice for surprise time off. Snow days can be a time of low energy, cozy vibes, and sometimes cabin fever. Use your energy wisely, and you will be happy with your plans.

 

Prioritize your options

While you cannot do it all, you can focus on what is most important and meaningful to you. Start by making a list of all the possibilities for organizing. You can find the pain points as a direction for your work. Review your list and add time allocations for each project. Now you are ready to determine what is the best use of your time and energy for that day. Options for the day are to choose one primary project and one small bonus task or three small organizing projects. Remember to put your perfectionism aside in order to accomplish more.

 

Set the stage

Before diving in, set yourself up for success. Put on comfy clothes and play your favorite music or podcast. Gather your supplies like bags or bags, post-it notes, paper, and markers. Be ready to work and dive in.

Project possibilities

  • Entryway or Landing Strip: Declutter shoes, outerwear, and bags. Toss trash and distribute items to their original homes. Assign homes for new items.
  • Paper piles, home office or command center: Sort mail and paper into recycle, shred, action, or file. Refresh your command center. Add tasks to your task list.
  • Digital or photo editing:  Edit documents on your computer or organize documents into files. Or edit photos on your phone and create albums to organize them.
  • Pantry or fridge reset: Toss expired items, group items together, and create zones for breakfast, baking, snacks, or lunch.

 

ADHD-Friendly Tips (Especially on Snow Days)

When you have an unstructured day, it is easy to get distracted. Use these tips to help you accomplish more.

  • Use a timer (25–45 minutes on, short break)

  • FaceTime or phone a friend or ask a family member to be a clutter buddy or body double.

  • Make note of where you stop to restart again. Write in your calendar the next date you can work on that area.

 

Celebrate the day

Wrap up your organizing work before dinner time. Review your successes and share with your family or friends. Get your boxes and bins to the car or curb.  Organizing on a snow or ice day is an intentional time to create peace of mind and calm in your life.

So the next time the forecast brings snow or ice, think of it as a pause button—and a chance to create a little more ease at home. ❄️

Get Organized Month: Smart Ways to Use ChatGPT to Organize Your Home

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how to use chatgpt to organize your home

January is National Get Organized Month. With this in mind, the month will include Smarter Ways to Organize. 

Every day, we hear about how artificial intelligence (AI) can make our lives easier and better. You can use ChatGPT to help you with the overwhelming task of organizing, too! Whether the organizing task is as small as a junk drawer or as big as a garage, ChatGPT can help inform you, motivate you, and provide structure for your efforts. Here’s how you can use AI to help you.

Create a plan

The hardest part of organizing is getting started. Make it easier by asking ChatGPT to help you create a plan. You can request a customized cleaning schedule based on your organizing needs and lifestyle, the size of your home, and the available time. You can ask, “ChatGPT, help me create a weekly cleaning schedule for a two-bedroom apartment.” ChatGPT can then generate a step-by-step breakdown, ensuring no area is overlooked, and help you estimate the amount of time needed for the area. Remember to keep your plan simple to help you get started.

 

Declutter first

A clutter-free space is your goal. ChatGPT can suggest decluttering strategies such as the KonMari method or the 20/20 rule (if it takes less than 20 minutes to replace and costs less than $20, consider letting it go). You can also request a checklist of items commonly found in different rooms to help make the process more systematic. You can ask for a list of places to donate your items to make it easier to drop off stuff. Making decluttering easier is always the first step.

 

Organize by category or by space

Using context to organize makes this task easier. Working with one category makes it easy to see what you have and decide what to edit. You can ask, “How many (items) of one category do I need at home?” Tackling one room at a time prevents overwhelm. ChatGPT can provide detailed checklists for organizing each space, from the kitchen to the garage. For example, you can ask, “Give me a step-by-step guide to organizing my pantry,” and ChatGPT will outline steps like categorizing food items, using clear containers, and labeling everything properly. If paperwork is a challenge, ask ChatGPT, “How long do I need to keep my insurance papers?” ChatGPT can create a record retention schedule to help you know when to shred documents.

Establish a maintenance routine

Once your home is organized and clean, maintaining it is key. ChatGPT can help you set up a recurring checklist, such as daily, weekly, and monthly tasks. You can even ask for reminders or motivational tips to help you stay on track without feeling overwhelmed.

Get motivated with challenges and rewards

Sometimes, staying motivated is the hardest part. It is also important to add a smidge of fun to the process of organizing. Ask ChatGPT for organization challenges, like a “10-minute tidy-up” or a “one-bag declutter challenge.” You can also set up a reward system where you treat yourself after completing certain tasks.

 

ChatGPT is a powerful tool to help you stay on top of your home organization goals. By using it to create plans, get expert cleaning tips, and stay motivated, you can transform your home into a tidy, stress-free environment. Start today by asking ChatGPT for a personalized cleaning schedule and take the first step toward a more organized home!

 

Just for fun, this is what ChatGPT said about my work with clients. 

You shaped chaos to calm, clear, and kind.

With each list, a new rhythm aligned.

From landing strips neat,

To routines on repeat,

You brought order with heart and with mind.

Smarter Routines: How to Simplify Your Day and Get More Done

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get organized month smarter routines

January is National Get Organized Month. For that reason, throughout the month, posts are about smarter ways to organize. 

The best organizing includes ways to routinely make life happen around you. Truly, routines aren’t about rigidity. Routines create a structure that supports your life instead of complicating it. As a Certified Professional Organizer, I’ve seen firsthand how smarter routines can transform busy households, improve productivity, and reduce stress. The key is to focus on systems that are simple, repeatable, and adaptable. Creating smart routines supports you best.

Start with the high-impact routines

Not all tasks carry the same weight. Identify the tasks that have the biggest impact on your day. These become your anchors throughout the day at home and at work.

For example:

  • Preparing breakfast and packing lunches the night before

  • Reviewing your daily schedule or priorities

  • Setting aside time for exercise or self-care

When you build routines around these high-impact tasks, the rest of your day falls into place more easily. You can start with just one of these and build on as you see your success.

Build micro-routines for consistency

Smarter routines don’t need to be complicated. Small, repeatable habits are considered micro-routines. A five-minute morning tidy-up, a nightly “landing strip” check for keys and devices, or a weekly planning session can create big results with minimal effort. These small tasks make it easier throughout the day.

Use time blocks

Instead of jumping between tasks, group similar activities together. Time blocking reduces decision fatigue and helps you focus. Batching makes it easier for you to focus. For example:

  • Morning block: emails and work priorities
  • Afternoon block: errands or household chores
  • Evening block: family time and prep for the next day
  • Batch mail processing once a week
  • Batch meal planning and prep on Sundays

This method makes your routine more predictable and sustainable. It creates calm and order by using the same time of day for the same tasks.

Automate and delegate when possible

Smarter routines lean on tools and people to lighten the load. You do not have to do it all. Automate bill payments, reminders, and recurring tasks. Delegate chores to family members according to their strengths. The goal is completion and sustainability.

Build flexibility into your routine

Life is unpredictable. The smartest routines allow for wiggle room and have white space on your calendar. Rarely does a plan go perfectly. If an unexpected appointment arises, your system can bend without breaking. Think of routines as guidelines with extra oomph. Allow for tweaking your routines at an interval that works for you.

The Get Organized Month Takeaway

Smarter routines aren’t about squeezing every minute or being “perfect.” They’re about building intentional, repeatable systems that simplify your day and reduce stress. Start small, focus on high-impact areas, and refine as you go. Over time, these routines create a foundation for a more organized, calm, and productive life.

Get Organized Month: Smarter Ways to Organize Your Home (Without the Overwhelm)

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smarter ways to organize your home

January is National Get Organized Month. With this in mind, the month will include Smarter Ways to Organize. 

Get Organized Month is the perfect time to reset your home. It is the natural time you feel the energy to put into this work. But “getting organized” doesn’t mean buying bins or tackling everything at once. In fact, the smartest organizing strategies focus more on creating systems that actually work for your real life. Here are smarter, sustainable ways to organize your home that reduce stress and save time all year long.

Organize for function, not looks

A beautifully organized space that’s hard to maintain won’t last. Smart organization starts by asking yourself, how do you really use this space? Store items close to where they’re used and keep daily essentials within easy reach. You will get ready for your day quicker and reserve real energy for what matters. When your environment supports you and your routines, staying organized becomes effortless and makes life easier.

Edit before you organize

One of the most overlooked organizing steps is editing. Too much stuff makes even the best systems fail. Don’t slack on the editing because it is difficult. Gather and consolidate a single category to edit. Rather than adding containers or labels, take time to remove duplicates, expired items, and things that no longer fit your life. Less inventory means less to manage. Smart use of your energy makes a difference.

Create simple zones and systems

Smart homes are organized by zones. A drop zone by the door for keys and bags, a paper zone for mail and school forms, or a cleaning zone with supplies stored together helps everyone in the household know where things belong. Clear zones reduce decision fatigue and prevent clutter from spreading. Everyone in your home and at work can benefit from using zone organizing.

Use visual appeal to your advantage

Out of sight is out of mind. If you can’t see it, you’re less likely to use it. Clear bins, open shelving, and labels make it easier to find what you need and put things away quickly. This is especially helpful for busy families and people with ADHD, where visual cues support follow-through with maintenance.

Right-size your stuff and your systems

One of the smartest organizing principles is letting the container be the limit. Assign a specific amount of space for categories like toys, shoes, or pantry snacks. When the container is full, it’s time to edit. This keeps clutter from quietly returning and simplifies your maintenance.

Build maintenance into your routine

Organization isn’t a one-and-done project. Smart homes include simple maintenance routines like a five-minute daily reset or a weekly review of high-traffic areas. Small, consistent efforts prevent the need for major overhauls later. Start your weekly maintenance with a Sunday reset.

A Get Organized Month Takeaway

Smarter home organization is about doing what matters most. When you organize with intention, simplicity, and real-life habits in mind, your home becomes easier to manage and more enjoyable to live in. Choose smart systems over quick fixes to create a home that supports you every day.

Get Organized Month: A Smarter Way to Prioritize What Really Matters

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January is National Get Organized Month. With this in mind, the month will include Smarter Ways to Organize. 

You are bombarded with decisions daily. Some tasks have deadlines, some do not. There is a barrage of decisions, and the velocity of life keeps you moving forward every minute of the day. Get Organized Month is the perfect opportunity to reassess how you prioritize tasks. Many people I work with feel overwhelmed because everything seems urgent. When all tasks are treated equally, prioritizing becomes exhausting and ineffective.

One of the simplest and most powerful organizing tools I have recently learned has helped me rethink prioritizing. Rather than defaulting to what seems urgent, these two questions to ask yourself.

How high are the stakes? And how reversible are the consequences? (By the way, Jeff Bezos uses these questions to prioritize.)

How High Are the Stakes?

Ask yourself, “What is the true cost if this does or doesn’t happen on time?”

High-stakes tasks often involve:

  • Health and safety

  • Finances and legal responsibilities

  • Work performance or reputation

  • Connections to people who matter at home and work

Examples of high-stakes tasks:

  • Paying taxes or bills by a deadline

  • Submitting a proposal tied to income, promotion, or expenses

  • Addressing a medical issue

  • Responding to a school issue affecting your child

Low-stakes tasks may feel pressing, but don’t have lasting consequences:

  • Decluttering a single drawer

  • Trying a new digital tool

  • Perfecting an organizing system

When the stakes are high, consider a pause before acting.

2. How Reversible Are the Consequences?

Next, consider whether the outcome can be undone or corrected. You may have your own set of rules you live by that feel highly consequential.

Low reversibility (hard to undo):

  • Signing a lease or contract

  • Sending a sensitive email or message

  • Making a major financial decision

  • Committing to a long-term obligation

High reversibility (easy to undo):

  • Rearranging your schedule

  • Testing a new routine

  • Moving items in your home

  • Drafting an email without sending it

When reversibility is low, it’s worth slowing down and planning carefully.

Putting It All Together: Real-Life Examples

Example 1: Work Priorities
You’re deciding between cleaning up your inbox or preparing for an important client meeting.

  • Client meeting: High stakes, low reversibility → Top priority

  • Inbox cleanup: Low stakes, high reversibility → Schedule later

Example 2: Home Organization
You want to reorganize your pantry, but you also haven’t set up automatic bill payments.

  • Bills: High stakes, low reversibility → Do first

  • Pantry project: Low stakes, high reversibility → Weekend project

Example 3: Family and Parenting Decisions
Your child needs a school form signed, and you’re debating whether to research new storage bins.

  • School paperwork: High stakes, low reversibility

  • Storage research: Low stakes, high reversibility

Example 4: Health and Self-Care
You’re choosing between scheduling a doctor’s appointment and rearranging your planner.

  • Medical appointment: High stakes, low reversibility

  • Planner setup: Low stakes, high reversibility

Apply these questions as you plan your day. If you are prioritizing but not acting on your plan, you may be productively procrastinating. Often this occurs because of an emotion is holding you back. If you find you need the energy to start a project, take a walk or get a sip of water rather than doom scroll on socials.

Where This Framework Applies

This prioritizing method works beautifully across many areas of life.  In every sector of your life, whether it is work or home, you can apply these new questions to help you know what to do first. Put this into place in your Weekly Planning Meeting agenda. After you consider your lists and your calendar, start asking yourself these questions for clarity. Tasks with high stakes and low reversibility deserve your best energy. Everything else can wait, shift, or be tested without pressure. Organize your priorities first and let the rest fall into place with greater ease and confidence.

My Top 3 Favorite Blog Posts of 2025 and Why They Matter

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year end wrap up of organizing and productivity topics

As we move through 2025, I find myself looking back at the content and insights I’ve shared this year on the journey of decluttering, simplifying, and living intentionally. You, my friends, found these valuable, and these became the top-ranked blogs because of their practicality and ability to spark real change at home.

⭐ 25 Small but Mighty Strategies to Organize Your Paperwork (August 7, 2025)

If there’s one thing almost every household underestimates, it’s paper clutter. Bills, receipts, kids’ school forms, mail, and warranties overflow from our mail to our countertops. This post offers 25 easy-to-use strategies to be proactive about conquering this clutter.

  • I break paperwork into three simple categories (Active, To File, and Archive) so the system works, even when life is chaotic.

  • The post outlines small habits (like a “Sunday Reset” or a family command center) to keep things manageable.

Why this tops the list: for so many families with busy schedules, paperwork isn’t just a nuisance.  It’s a stressor. This post helps give you back control, so paper stops ruling your life and your space.

🏡  25 Simple Ways to Keep Your Home Organized Every Day (February 6, 2025)

This post says what I believe are the most important routines for everyone. Staying organized shouldn’t be a one-and-done project. It should be woven into the rhythm of everyday life.

  • The tips are simple, doable, and baby-step friendly. Begin with one drawer, one shelf, or a small corner. That momentum helps build toward bigger organizing wins.

  • Practical advice like using clear bins, labeling, designating a “home” for everything, and tackling paper clutter slowly makes organizing feel accessible.

Why this is a top post: because for families trying to stay afloat, this post offers a practical, doable structure rather than a massive overhaul.

🧠 Let Them: The Organizing Mindset Shift That Changes Everything (June 12, 2025)

Organizing is never just about stuff. Organizing is about people, relationships, and energy. This post explores a mindset shift that’s critical, especially in family homes or shared spaces where not everyone shares the same vision of order.

  • The main idea is that sometimes change sticks only when you stop trying to control others and instead focus on what you can control: your space, your habits, your boundaries.

  • Embracing boundaries is important; however, it is important to give family members or housemates space to find their own rhythm, while protecting your own peace and order.

Why this matters deeply: for many people, organizing is more than logical; it is emotional. This post invites grace, patience, and self-care.

What These Posts Reveal About Approaching Organizing in Your Home, Work, and Life

Looking at these three blog posts together, you’ll see a pattern. I believe that you can make a difference every day with your organizing and productivity. These three concepts are what make your organizing practical and easy to accomplish.

  • Create systems that align with how you think.

  • Follow habits and routines as the structure of your everyday life.

  • You need a mix of tools and strategies that make your organizing and productivity easy.

Give these blog posts another read this year and see how you can start 2026 with a fresh perspective.

 

Have a Holly Jolly Holiday (With Holiday Self Care)

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have a holly jolly holiday with self care

 

The holiday season is filled to the brim with activities and time together.  There’s lots of excitement, not to mention lots of organizing and things to do. Your planning often is about taking care of others and insuring everyone’s happiness. This year we need to practice packing some extra self care with our holiday bags. Check out these ideas to add self care to your holiday planning.

 

Schedule time for self care

It is easy to think, with so much extra to do, when do I have time for self care? Self care is more important during busy times because it is the fuel that keeps you going.  Create self care routines at the same time daily. These priorities can be at the beginning of the day to give you a strong start to each day or at the end of the day to ensure your rest.

 

Keep your gratitude practice going strong

Appreciating the blessings in your life remind us of all that is good and positive.  Whether it is writing a text to a friend, writing in your journal or a note to yourself, keep your practice intact during the holiday season.

 

Acknowledge emotions

During the holidays we experience a range of emotions.  Whether happy, sad, overwhelmed or frenzied, it is good to  name emotions. We can acknowledge what we are experiencing and process this. Give yourself time to pause. Check in with your feelings, acknowledge and sort through the reasons behind these. Manage your expectations and keep these in line with what you can physically and emotionally manage.

 

Keep a list of self care options

When we start down a negative path, we want to have options to make a change. Make your own list of relaxation activities. This can include taking a walk to see holiday lights, sitting down with a hot cup of cocoa, putting on fuzzy slippers for the rest of the day, or any number of soothing activities.

 

Well being first

We all know that our physical wellbeing is critical.  Be sure you keep your health routines like sleep and diet as much as you can. While there are times for a late night and special treats, keeping to your regular bedtime and meals with protein give you the energy and emotional stability you need.

 

It will be a holly jolly holiday in all ways when you take time for your self care.

 

 

 

When Thanksgiving Comes Late: ADHD-Friendly Strategies to Get Ahead for the Holidays

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If you live with ADHD, the holiday season can feel like a juggling act of deadlines, decisions, and details that all seem to happen all at once and all of the same importance.

This year Thanksgiving lands late in November, adding in extra details and decisions and taking away time. Now there are fewer weeks and less time. It is easy to feel behind before the season even begins.

The good news is that with a few ADHD-friendly strategies, you can reduce the feeling of being overwhelmed and enjoy the holidays even with fewer weeks on the calendar.

Create a visual tool to help you track tasks and time.

When Thanksgiving is later in the month, time feels like a blur between the holidays. Urgency can turn to paralysis.

  • Use a visual calendar to map out the next six weeks. Color-code tasks like shopping, decorating, travel, and rest.

  • Work backwards and write in time blocks for key events and deadlines. These are the critical priorities for the season such as purchasing, mailing, wrapping and delivery.

  • Set reminders with transition times built into the process. Multiple alarms beat one last-minute reminders.

Break projects into actionable micro tasks.

Big projects like getting ready for the holidays are overwhelming. Instead, write out clear, specific micro tasks that can be completed with as little decision making as possible.

  • Instead of “decorate,” try “find the box of ornaments.”

  • Instead of “shop for everyone,” try “order one gift online.

Create a flexible plan and expect changes. 

Managing expectations means creating a plan but keeping it flexible. Having a plan gives you scaffolding, managing it with flexibility keeps it on track.

Think of your plan as a flexible framework:

  • Keep a master to-do list and highlight only three priorities per day.

  • Use sticky notes or a digital board so you can easily move tasks around.

  • Celebrate progress, not perfection.

Work with your energy.

Extra activity can be energizing and draining. Work with your energy to preserve your self-care. Both introverts and extroverts benefit from using their energy wisely during the holidays.

  • Set up boundaries for task completion and make it known that done is perfect.

  • Schedule “no-peopling” days before and after major events.

  • Say “no” (kindly!) to commitments that don’t light you up.

  • Build in recovery time after social or family gatherings.

  • Set up bedtime routines as sacred.

Keep it simple especially at Thanksgiving.

A late Thanksgiving might mean skipping or reimagining some Thanksgiving and holiday traditions. Find ways to get help with a team of elves, semi-homemade foods, or enlisting your family. Get creative about what each holiday preparations are and imagine how to accomplish these easily. Be sure you have moments during the holidays season that bring you personal joy.

A late Thanksgiving can be a reminder about what is most important about this season of gratitude. Pause, plan, and create systems that support you and how your brain works best. Start small, start today, and make space for what really matters this season.

What People Say When They are Working with a Certified Professional Organizer

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CPO

Many people start with good intentions but quickly feel overwhelmed when it comes to getting organized. That’s where a Certified Professional Organizer® (CPO®) makes all the difference. Working alongside a trained and credentialed professional can give you the structure, accountability, and expertise needed to create lasting change. Here’s what clients often share with me about the value of working with a CPO.

“Writing out a less complicated plan helped me get started.”

When plans are overcomplicated, it is hard to get started or continue the project. You have a vision, but it lacks clarity. With a CPO, you can write out the organizing process to make sure it is accomplished in the most efficient way.

“Writing down my baby steps.”

The struggle happens when you have to remember all the details. Together, writing down the details makes your plan manageable. That might be a color-coded chart created together or a list your CPO writes and texts to you. Along the way, you are devising a manageable plan with real baby steps.

“Keeping me on track.”

You set a deadline, but it can be a long way off. Accountability is one of the most frequently requested parts of the organizing process. Staying focused on a project is often the hardest part. A CPO brings “loving” accountability and helps you maintain momentum, even when the process feels daunting. With someone encouraging you and being alongside you step by step, you’re less likely to get stuck or lose sight of your goals.

“Helping execute my plan.”

Many people know what they want their home, office, or schedule to look like, but don’t know how to get there. Getting started on your plan may be the hardest part. A CPO helps translate your vision into an actionable plan and works beside you to carry it out. Instead of facing endless tasks alone, you have a partner who helps break those tasks into small, manageable steps. Planning is a great asset, and so is execution.

“Giving me permission to declutter my stuff.”

Sorting through belongings can feel emotional and overwhelming. Those items may really be a burden while also feeling like a responsibility.  A CPO brings a fresh perspective, guiding you through decisions about what to keep, donate, or discard. With CPO support, you’ll create space and clarity in your environment.

“Changing my environment to be more productive.”

Your surroundings have a huge impact on your focus and energy. A streamlined environment is where productivity starts. A CPO helps you design systems and spaces that support productivity, whether that’s setting up a streamlined home office, reorganizing your kitchen, or creating routines for daily life. The result? A space that works for you to enhance and empower your productivity.

“I could not do this without you.”

If you could, you would! There are so many ways a CPO makes a difference. You have the plan, and a CPO arriving makes stuff happen. Your trust in your CPO creates a powerful partnership. A CPO can also act as a body double, giving you the energy and focus to complete your goals. I love making a difference in time and space in my clients’ homes and lives.

Working with a Certified Professional Organizer® is more than just tidying up.  It’s about building systems, habits, and environments that support the life you want. With expertise built on a strong foundation of education, you’ll feel empowered, supported, and set up for success.

25 Things You Should Know About Executive Function

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adhd awareness month

 

In Honor of ADHD Awareness Month

Have you struggled with letting go of clutter, all the decisions, and the steps needed? Or stared at a long to-do list and felt so overwhelmed that it was difficult to prioritize? Maybe it is difficult getting started on your laundry, paperwork, or work projects?

These everyday challenges are connected to executive function. Executive function skills are the brain’s coordination and management system. These are the cognitive skills that help you plan, organize, focus, regulate, and accomplish. Executive function is often the biggest challenge for people with ADHD.

Here are 25 things you should know about executive function, grouped by the 5 major areas it affects for organization and productivity.

Organization

Executive function helps you keep spaces orderly, track belongings, and let go of items that no longer serve you.

  • Difficulty with organization can lead to clutter, misplaced items, and missed deadlines.

  • Visual systems work best in supporting organizational skills.

  • Digital tools (calendars, reminders, apps) are especially helpful for managing complex schedules.

  • Organization improves when you break tasks into smaller, manageable parts.

👉 System Tip: Create a Command Center (a consistent spot for keys, bags, papers, or digital files) so items don’t get lost and routines stay on track.

Planning & Prioritizing

Executive function allows you to set goals and establish clear steps to reach them. It also helps you decide what order to do tasks in a project and manage multiple steps.

  • Struggles with planning often look like procrastination, but often stem from unclear next steps and unaddressed emotions.

  • Prioritizing means choosing from your master list the sequence of what to do.

  • Using planners, checklists, or project outlines builds stronger planning habits.

  • Planning backwards with the end goal and using time blocks in sequence helps reach your goal.

👉 System Tip: Use Weekly Planning Time (like Sunday evening planning) with a calendar and task list to decide your top three priorities for the week.

Working Memory

Working memory is the ability to hold information in your head while using it.

  • It helps with following multi-step directions, solving problems, and recalling details.

  • Limited working memory capacity can make instructions, conversations, or lectures feel overwhelming.

  • Writing tasks down frees up cognitive load and makes it easier to start tasks.

  • Strategies like repeating information aloud or chunking it into smaller parts boost recall.

👉 System Tip: Set up a capture system (like a notebook, notes app, or voice recorder) to quickly store thoughts and instructions before they slip away.

Task Initiation

Executive function helps with initiation, which is starting a task.

  • Trouble with initiation frustrates people and often requires a specific strategy.

  • Breaking down the very first step makes starting easier.

  • Body doubling, which is working alongside someone else, can smooth out initiation.

  • A clear routine or cue (like setting a timer) creates momentum to begin.

👉 System Tip: Use a “warm up” like the Pomodoro method (25 minutes work, 5 minutes break) to create a workflow.

Emotional Regulation

Executive function plays a role in managing fear, stress, frustration, and disappointment.

  • Difficulty regulating emotions can lead to impulsive reactions or procrastination.

  • Meditation and mindfulness practices strengthen awareness of emotions before they escalate.

  • Pausing creates space for better decision-making.

  • Naming your feelings (“I’m overwhelmed,” “I’m frustrated”) reduces their intensity and builds control.

👉 System Tip: Build an “emotional reset system” with tools like sensory awareness, a short walk, or a quick grounding exercise you can use when emotions run high.

Executive function skills are boosted by working with a certified professional organizer or coach. These skills can be supported and strengthened with the right strategies, tools, and guidance. Choose one area to start and focus on ways to strengthen your skills.